Stabilizer for centrifugal extractors and the like



J-.-F. THoLi. 1,966,420 STABILIZER FOR"CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTORS AND THE LIKE July 19,1934.

Filed June 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l J. F. THOLL 1,966,420

*STABILIZER FOR CENTRIFUGAL EXTRACTORS AND THE LIKE H July 10, 1934.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6, 1932 Patented July 10, 1934 UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE STABILIZER FOR CENTRIFUGAL EX- TRACTORS AND THE LIKE Application June 6, 1932,'Serial No. 615,567

2 Claims.

This invention relates to centrifugal extractors and other machines in which a similar bearing mechanism is employed.

A typical machine of this type includes an upright spindle with a bearing mechanism for supporting it anda basket or some equivalent member mounted on the spindle and designed to carry the material to be operated upon. Since the load carried by such a spindle frequently is unbalanced, it is customary to provide some means for cushioning the gyratory movement of the spindle caused by such a load so as to stabilize the spindle while still permitting it to have a limited amount of vibration or sway. Adjustment of the cushioning means is necessary in order to apply the desired degree of restraint to the gymtory movement of the spindle, and prior machines of this character, particularly those of the underdriven type, have been so constructed that it has been necessary to partially disassemble them in order to make these adjustments.

The present invention aims to improve machines of this general type with a view to facilitating the making of such adjustments.

The nature of the invention will be readily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a vertical, sectional view of those parts of a centrifugal extractor with which the invention is more especially concerned, together with certain additional parts associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the base shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the adjusting collar or gland; and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the housing for the stabilizing mechanism.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the mechanism there shown comprises an upright spindle 2 mounted in a bearing mechanism which includes an upright tubular bushing or quill 3, and a roller step 4. An oil reservoir 5 is mounted on the upper part of the bearng member 3. Secured fast to the spindle is a pulley 6 by means of which the spindle may be belted to any convenient source of power, and a hub '7 for supporting the basket is mounted fast on the spindle above the pulley. These parts may be constructed and arranged in the usual manner.

For the purpose of supporting the bearing mechanism and stabilizing the spindle, the tubular bushingB is provided with a circular flange 8 projecting radially therefrom and either integral with, or secured rigidly to, the bushing. This flange is mounted in a housing 10 which has somewhat the shape of an inverted cup, but is provided at its lower end with a radially projecting flange 12 which rests on the machine base 13. Enclosed within the housing 10 are two resilient cushioning members 14 and 15, respectively, the former being located above the flange 8 and the latter below said flange. Preferably these members consist of rubber rings, although other resilient devices, such as springs, can be substituted for them. The lower of these rings rests on, and is supported by, an adjusting nut or collar 16 which is screw threaded into the lower end of the housing 10. Consequently, by adjusting this nut vertically the pressure of the elastic rings 14 and 15 on the radial flange 8 can be increased or decreased, as desired, and the stabilizing effect exerted by them on the spindle can be correspondingly varied.

For the purpose of making this adjustment the base 13 has a circular recess 17, Figs. 1 and 2, formed therein to receive a short sleeve-like extension 18 on the lower end of the housing 10, thus centering this housing for rotary adjustment about the axis of the spindle. The base also has two integral lugs 20 projecting inwardly therefrom and adapted to fit into slots formed between downwardly projecting lugs 21, Figs. 1 and 3, on the adjusting collar or nut 16.

Normally the housing 10 is secured rigidly to the base 13 by a. series of bolts extending through the flange 12, one of these bolts being shown in Fig. 1 at 22. When it is desired to adjust the pressure exerted by the rubber buffers 14 and 15 on the flange 8, the bolts 22 are removed and the housing 10 is then rotated in its seat 1'7. During such rotative movement the nut 16 is held stationary by the engagement of its lugs 21 with the lugs 20 on the base 13. Consequently, such rotative movement results in raising or lowering the nut 16, and thus increases or decreases the pressure of the cushioning members 14 and 15 on the flange 8, as desired.

It should be observed that this adjustment can be made without disturbing any of the parts except the bolts 22, all of the other elements remaining in their normal positions. Consequently, the adjustment can be made both quickly and easily. When the desired running condition has been obtained the bolts 22 are again threaded into the holes in the base, thus fastening the housing 10 securely in its operative position.

The invention thus provides a stabilizing mechanism for centrifugal machines in which adjustment is facilitated while still maintaining a simple and thoroughly practical construction.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that the invention can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim as new is:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination with an upright spindle and a tubular upright bearing therefor, of a circular flange projecting radially from said bearing, resilient members bearing on both the upper and lower surfaces of said flange, a housing enclosing said flange and said members, a base on which said housing is supported and in which the housing is mounted for rotation about the axis of said spindle, a nut screw threaded in the lower part of said housing, said nut supporting the lower of said resilient members, said nut and said base having interengaging parts to hold them against rotation, one relatively to the other, and means for securing said housing to said base and against rotation relatively thereto.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination with an upright spindle and a tubular upright bearing therefor, of a circular flange projecting radially from said bearing, resilient members bearing on both the upper and. lower surfaces of said flange, a housing enclosing said flange and said members, a base on which said housing rests and to which it is bolted, said base having a circular recess in which said housing is supported for rotation about the axis of said spindle, a nut screw threaded in the lower part of said housing, the lower of said resilient members resting on said nut, and cooperating parts on said base and nut for holding the nut against rotation while the housing is rotated to adjust the pressure on said resilient members.

JOHN F. THOLL. 

